AT A MEETING of the BASINGSTOKE ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY FOR TRANSPORT MEMBERS PANEL held at the Civic Offices, Basingstoke on 8 October 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); D.G. Allen; J.K. Glen; M.J. Roberts; J.G.L. Wall.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Councillors: Mrs P. Baker; M. Biermann; Mrs A. Court; A.D. McCormick.

Also in attendance

Councillors: Mrs S.M. Allen; K.G. Chapman; P.A. Heath; Jo Kelly; Mrs S.B. Rowland; Mrs M.J. Tucker.

32. QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS

Before the meeting Andrew Dyer of Stagecoach South made an informal presentation on the Quality Bus Partnership in the Basingstoke area and answered Members questions.

33. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

34. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 12 February 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

35. CHAIRMANS COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

36. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

37. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the delivery of the Local Transport Plan and the content of Hampshire County Council's third Annual Progress Report submitted to the Government Office for the South East and the Department for Transport on 31 July 2003.

During 2002/03 Hampshire County Council spent £22.7 million on transport policies. The Annual Progress report set out how this money had been spent and detailed the County Council's performance in meeting targets which had been set.

Members questions focused on cycling targets. Although these had not been met, it was noted that 11 % of the County Council's transport budget was spent on cycle schemes. All agreed that cycle schemes should remain a priority, particularly on routes to industrial sites and new development areas.

Members were also informed that the lack of growth, both in the number of cyclists on the roads and in the patronage of bus services, was part of a national trend, and was not specific to Hampshire.

RESOLVED:

That the performance on transport improvements, as set out in the report on the Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report, and the County Council's performance in relation to meeting its objectives and targets be noted.

38. BASINGSTOKE TRANSPORT MONITORING

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment for Hampshire County Council and Director of Planning, Environment and Transport for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the monitoring exercise undertaken in March 2003 as part of the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport and involving an extensive programme of surveys covering road traffic, cycling, pedestrian activity, bus and train use and air quality.

Officers reported that the survey undertaken in March 2003 was part of a wider programme which sought to highlight trends in traffic patterns. The report indicated that urban Basingstoke had an unusually high peak in traffic flow, but that outside peak times traffic, levels were low when compared with other towns of a similar size.

Members noted that the survey focused heavily in and around central Basingstoke and requested further information on rural areas. Officers would attempt to collect further data as part of future surveys, however historically there were fewer automated counting areas outside of Basingstoke. Members also raised concerns about the apparent trend away from rail travel in the rural areas. However it was suggested that the figures could be misleading as it was felt that data collection might not have been undertaken at peak times and that rural train users were boarding the trains in urban areas where the service was more regular and where more car parking space was available.

Members also asked questions concerning the available capacity of some of the major roads in the county, including the M3 and A33. Concerns were raised over the increased traffic flow on the A33 and it was suggested that contingency plans be drafted in the event that Chineham Station could not be progressed.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the results of the 2003 Basingstoke Strategy for Transport survey be noted.


(ii) That an item be added to the agenda for the next meeting of the Panel concerning rail use in the Basingstoke area.

39. DRAFT TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2004/05 AND 2005/06 FOR CONSULTATION

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining the indicative programmes for the Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2004/05 and 2005/06.

Members were invited to comment on the priorities for the 2004/05 and 2005/06 draft programme as summarised in Appendix 4 of the report. The Chairman emphasised that the programme was a draft at this stage and was dependant upon confirmation of the Department for Transport (DfT) settlement which was due in December. The draft programme had been made available for discussion by Members and would be finalised in January 2004.

Members requested that where schemes included the installation of traffic lights, a pedestrian phase should be included. It was confirmed that this was generally the policy for new traffic lights, but it would be very expensive to install retrospectively.

Concerns were raised over the assessment rating process and in particular if it took into account the number of injuries occurring on a stretch of road. It was confirmed that this information was included in the process and that the rating was just a guide, but where Members felt that a scheme needed to be given higher priority this would be taken into account. Members also requested that the problems associated with the Chineham corridors be addressed in view of the fact that it was unlikely that Chineham Station would be operational before a new 4,000 household development was constructed. It was reported that there were ongoing discussions at Executive Member level between the County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on this issue.

There was a general consensus that the Safer Routes to School scheme was very worthwhile. School programmes would continue to be monitored and Members were requested to inform officers of any specific problems resulting from individual schemes.

Issues were also raised concerning the A339 and A33. It was reported that both were due to be included in the Local Transport Plan for 2006-11.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised of the views of the Panel, with any additional responses to be received by the County Council by 14 November 2003.

40. POLICY AND PROGRESS UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) setting out the progress on several studies and schemes being undertaken in the North East Hampshire Transportation Strategy area.

Members discussed the eight schemes as set out in the report paying particular attention to:-

(i) A3010 Victory Roundabout - Issues concerning the necessity of such a scheme were raised. In particular it was felt that the scheme had originally been intended to reduce flooding in the underpass and this problem had been resolved. Members noted that the scheme was being externally funded. It was felt that the proposed scheme would be of great benefit to both pedestrians and cyclists although it might also adversely effect the flow of traffic. Officers reported that the proposed scheme required further consultation.

(ii) A30 Brighton Hill and Winchester Road Roundabouts - concerns were raised that external funding might be lost if the scheme continued to be postponed. It was confirmed that the external funding would be available until May 2006.

(iii) Safer Routes to School - Members requested to be kept informed of progress made by schools within their divisions, particularly at the design stage. Officers noted these comments and the Chairman informed the Panel that he was particularly keen for local Councillors to be involved in the process.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

41. REVIEW OF TRANSPORT STRATEGY AREAS AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANELS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) reviewing the current Area Transportation Strategy Panels.

Members were invited to comment on the review of the Transportation Strategy Panels. The general consensus was that transportation strategy should be discussed in regional panels as they offered a forum to bring together invaluable local knowledge. However the advantage of Executive Member to Executive Member meetings was noted, particularly for more immediate issues. There was also further discussion concerning the geographical area that a future panel might cover. While it was agreed that there was a considerable sub region in the north of Hampshire further consideration would be required to define its boundaries, which all agreed would need to be flexible. Members put forward the view that any new panels should combine transportation with spatial strategy and land use issues.

RESOLVED:

That the outline proposals for the review of transport strategy areas and Transportation Strategy Panels be noted and the comments made in discussion by this Panel be included in the subsequent reports to the Executive Member for Environment and the County Council, as appropriate.

42. PUBLIC SERVICES AGREEMENT BUS MARKETING PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) summarising the intensive marketing programme that will commence shortly on a number of the best performing bus routes in the County.

In connection with the County Council's Public Service Agreement to increase bus patronage by 4 percent by April 2005 (from a 1999/2000 base), a wide ranging marketing programme was being undertaken along the most popular bus routes. Socialdata Limited had been appointed to research travel patterns along these routes and to offer tailored information on public transport alternatives.

Members welcomed the initiative, and requested that Officers update them on the progress of the `InfoMotion' initiative at a future meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

43. PROPOSED NORTH OF POPLEY DEVELOPMENT AND NORTH BASINGSTOKE ACTION PLAN: TRANSPORT OPPORTUNITES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment for Hampshire County Council and the Director of Planning, Environment and Transport for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (Item 11 in the Minute Book) concerning potential opportunities to improve transport facilities in and beyond the proposed development area.

Officers reported that this development represented a change in emphasis from traditional developments in that the transport network was central to its design as opposed to being built around housing and services. Members expressed serious concerns over the possibility of locating the John Hunt of Everest school sports facilities on the opposite side of a road to the main school building.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel noted the position regarding the proposed developments at the North Popley Urban Extension and John Hunt of Everest School sites and endorsed the proposed transport improvements associated with the development.

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